The US has doubled the reward to $50m for providing the information leading to the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. In January, the Trump administration announced $25m for it. The US has accused Maduro of being “one of the largest narco-traffickers in the world”.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi said that the US would double its already announced reward of $25 million, while accusing Maduro of being directly involved in drug smuggling operations.
In response, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil called the new reward “pathetic” and a “political propaganda.” Attacking Bondi, Gil said that the announcement aims to distract people from the news of the mishandling of the case of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Donald Trump has, since his first term has taken a tough stance on Maduro and other high-ranking Venezuelan officials with multiple offences including narco-terrorism, corruption and drug trafficking.
On Thursday, Bondi posted a video on X where she accused Maduro of working with groups like Tren de Aragua, a group that has been declared a terrorist organisation and the Sinaloa Cartel, a Mexico-based strong criminal network.
Today, @TheJusticeDept and @StateDept are announcing a $50 MILLION REWARD for information leading to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro. pic.twitter.com/D8LNqjS9yk
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) August 7, 2025
Bondi revealed that the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has discovered 30 tons of cocaine linked to Maduro and his associates, out of which around 70 tons were directly linked to Maduro.
